October 31, 2015

What shot an arrow into the heart of the original brand was the high-profile sex assault trial of its graduate, Owen Labrie. Yesterday, he was sentenced to 1 year in jail, 5 years probation, and mandatory registration for life as a sex offender. That latter he can appeal after 15 years.

Labrie's real "crime" might have been damaging a brand which depended on the old-line values of the patrician class. They're the ones George H.W. Bush represents. The ethos is love of country, excellence, and family. It has no tolerance for the dark side of mankind strutting itself out in public. You handle that propensity to evil in private with a therapist or clergy.

From media reports, Labrie did not seem to understand that code. Never mind practice it. From his own writings he seemed to enjoy exploiting women.

Now, St. Paul's has to prove it really embodies the values the next generation of leaders is supposed to have. For a while, as is standard in crisis management, it will lay low. Then we are likely to read long articles in the media on the fine things St. Paul's administration, faculty, and students are engaged in. Alumni will return and deliver inspirational speeches about the right values. They might also fund special scholarships related to those values.

The future careers of the students currently at St. Paul's depend on the restoration of brand equity. That's why parents pony up $55,000 annually.

Comments

This will have no influence on St.Pauls' brand. It will be overshadowed by bourgeoise fundraisers and charity balls. The rich steamroll over such things without any guilt or compassion. It is just the cost of doing business and will be viewed as "an isolated unfortunate incident." It will barely register on any radar since it might implicate more important alumni.